At a glance
This ride is a historic form of transport that runs on rails along the park’s main avenue. It’s a vintage tram, known as a Streetcar, pulled by draught horses. Visitors sit inside carriages that are open at the sides, so you can watch the shop and restaurant fronts go by.
It’s a very calm trip between the park entrance and the central square (Central Plaza) in front of the castle. The sound of hooves on the cobbles and the ring of the driver’s bell create an atmosphere that recalls the early twentieth century. It’s an unusual way to get around without walking, while taking in the street’s many architectural details.
As the horses move among the pedestrians, the tram goes slowly, which gives you time to enjoy the view. It’s a very short but restful ride, ideal if you don’t want to rush as soon as you arrive or if you’d like to soak up the retro atmosphere of this part of the park.
Main Street’s horse-drawn tram. A carriage pulled by a draught horse up the street from Town Square to Central Plaza, at the gentle pace of the turn of the century. A short, picturesque trip, best enjoyed in the morning when the crowds are still light.
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 along with the park, the Horse-Drawn Streetcars are horse-drawn trams running along Main Street U.S.A. This form of transport has featured in several Disney parks since Disneyland in Anaheim (1955), followed by the Magic Kingdom in Orlando (1971) and Tokyo Disneyland (1983).
Technical data
- Duration
- 5 min
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Transport
- Opening date 12 April 1992
- Duration 5 minutes
- Vehicle type Horse-drawn tram
- Inspired by Horse-Drawn Streetcars (Disneyland, California, 1955)
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait low
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Takes you up Main Street without any effort
- Ideal for young children and photography fans
Weak points
- Very limited capacity per trip
- Goes at the horses’ walking pace, so not very fast
- Usually only runs in the morning
My verdict
The Horse-Drawn Streetcars are vintage trams pulled by draught horses that travel up Main Street from Town Square to Central Plaza in 5 minutes. They usually only run in the morning, which makes them fairly rare. No long queue, but capacity is very limited.
A charming little experience to start the day if you come across it. The anecdote I love telling: at Disneyland Paris, all Cast Members wear a name badge, and even the horses have their own, so look out for it when you climb aboard. Don’t plan your day around it. It’s more of a lucky bonus than an attraction in its own right.
Julie’s tip
Map & getting there
Horse-Drawn Streetcars is in the Main Street U.S.A. land of Disneyland Park, near Town Square.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
